Bellevue vs Newport 3-23-21

Varsity
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BHS 6-0 Newport
3rd min Hannah (Nova/Maeva)
12th min Nova (Audrey)
14th min Maeva (Halle)
22nd min Lily (Chloe/Hinana)
47th min Halle (PK)
59th min Halle (direct from corner)
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Just two weeks ago we played our first game of the 2020 season, a very disjointed and scrappy game against our neighbors from Newport. And it remained scoreless for 70 minutes until we were able to escape with a 1-0 win from a great Bekah goal. So going into tonight's rematch, we had another 3 games of experience, and more importantly, another two weeks of training time together...and it showed. The herky-jerky nervous team that took the field two weeks ago is a distant memory, because the Bellevue team that took the field against the Knights in the rematch looked completely different. We were patient. Composed. We moved the ball quickly. We made selfless runs off the ball to create space for our teammates. And when we lost the ball, we ruthlessly pursued in packs until we won it back. Sometimes the scoreboard corresponds to an improvement in performance, and sometimes it doesn't. But tonight, it most certainly did.  It was a comprehensive 6-0 victory in which every player contributed great minutes.
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The goalscoring party began right away, as Maeva found space on the left wing in the 3rd minute, crossed to Nova on the opposite wing, and the tap back assist found Hannah to poke home from 3 yards. 1-0 Bellevue...and the type of poacher goal that we expect our strikers to get from great positioning and opportunistic finishing. In the 12th minute, Audrey anticipated an entry pass, stepped into the space to win the ball, and just kept going, beating 3 defenders on the dribble before hitting strong shot that the Newport keeper did well to save before Nova cleaned up the scaps with another great poachers goal. So much of consistent goalscoring is having good instincts and being at the right place at the right time. Well done Nova to beat her defender to the deflection to score.  Just two minutes later in the 14th minute we added a third goal, a magnificent 8 pass team goal that moved across the field with one or two touches from right to left before Halle freed Maeva on the wing to slide home our third goal of the evening in less than 15 minutes. Just wonderful. We got our 4th goal in the 22nd minute, as Hinana, in her first touches after coming on as a substitute, beat two Newport defenders on the dribble before crossing to Chloe who dropped the ball back to Lily to rifle into the net from the top of the box. 4-0 at halftime and the game was in complete control.  
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After half we added two more, as newly named captain Halle was fouled in the box and then calmly scored the resulting PK in the 47th minute. And in the 59th minute, Halle scored directly from a corner, the ball perfectly curled into the far corner (with Audrey in perfect position at the back post to finish had it been necessary). Then we took our foot off the accelerator, and saw the game to conclusion with safe and smart possession soccer. 6-0 final score. 
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Highlights.  Too many to list here. Other than this was a total team performance. Unlike our game two weeks ago, we resisted the urge to force the ball forward, but instead were patient, choosing possession versus stuffing the ball into crowded places or blindly lofting balls at the defense. Players moved the ball quickly and smoothly, and made unselfish runs off the ball that opened up space for teammates. We were patient and poised. Beautiful to watch, and exactly how we want the team to play. It was a stylish, but stout overall performance. The stats were 22/4 to 1/0 shots/corners in our favor. And after five games, we are 5-0-0, the best start to a Bellevue girls soccer season in over 6 years. One of my happiest moments from tonight was just witnessing the vibe on our sidelines. The girls were supporting each other, laughing, loose and having a great time. After the year we have all endured, a positive team spirit and laughter is a gift. Thank you girls. Long may it continue. 
 
Junior Varsity
 BHS 7-0 Newport
11th min Allison (Kate)
16th min Lilian (Kate)
36th min Giselle (Allison)
50th min Lilian (Leah)
62nd min Lilian (Leah)
70th min Leah
77th min Emily (Emma C)
The Bellevue JV girls traveled to Newport Tuesday night for a rematch against the Knights. For the first time in a week or so, it WASN’T raining. It was a beautiful early evening for soccer and we talked pregame that there were no excuses for heavy touches due to a slick ball and slippery turf.
As we do in most of our games so far this season, we started slowly as we struggled to grasp onto bouncing balls and maintain possession (a familiar theme). But things turned around quickly and in the 11th minute Kate found Allison with a nifty thru ball and after an expertly taken finish we were up 1-0. Five minutes later Kate again found herself on the ball and as we spoke about pregame, Kate made the right decision on another thru ball to Lilian for the goal. It was Lilian’s first of three goals on the night and her second hat trick of the season.
While Kate was the assist queen in the first half, Leah Peterson came to play in the second half with two assists and a goal of her own. Up 6-0 with 10 minutes to play we tried to take our foot off the gas but a great long ball from Emma Cody from the backline found Emily streaking toward goal where she finished nicely (from outside the 18 yard box as instructed) to finish the scoring.
Down four players due to injuries and absences, the girls played a good overall game with good stretchers of possession and ball movement but unfortunately lots of missed opportunities. It was another 30+ shot night with six assists on our seven goals. So that makes 32 goals on the season and six shutouts.
We host our Bellevue JV2 team on Thursday night and if it is anywhere similar to our matchup Saturday night, it should be a good game.



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